190w ago - Following up on his previous update, today Sony PlayStation 3 hacker No_One has made available some PDF documentation that details how Project PNM PS3 NOR Manager works including schematics, explanations, a bill of materials (BOM), and diagrams.

private keys are used to decrypt (and sign) files needed to build a firmware.

public keys are used to decrypt files like "EBOOT.BIN", SELF/SPRX files and so on.

If a new exploit is found to obtain privates keys then CFW will appear again.

Even if PNM project only aims to manage a TRUE dual firmware console, it may lead to public keys.
I won't explain it how.

What does that mean ?

It means devs will probably include public keys (ie 3.70) in a 3.55 CFW (like it has been done for 3.56 keys). But i would like to underline that there some tricks that could be used by SONY to prevent such methods. I won't explain them here.

Now, concerning the NOR flash. It only embeds a part of the firmware. The other part is stored in the internal HDD. To manage a TRUE dual firmware, it will be necessary to have both these parts (ie 3.41 HDD + 3.70 HDD).

I won't talk about the SYSCON in this post since most people reading won't understand what it is.
The lame method will consist to swap HDD. But good news, there are some identified tricks to keep everything in only ONE HDD

Again, to make things clear: PNM is NOT a project to promote piracy ! The main goal is to have a 3.41/3.55 CFW with Linux/homebrews and an OFW to continue enjoying last games, PSN... But like any "weapon", PNM can be used for nice perspectives but also in "bad hands" for obscure aims.

This does look promising. looking over the images I can see its made well and I would imagine its only a matter of time before the developers find a safe outlet for it. Just not in the usa because you get 20 years. lol

I think this is something similar to the usb black-cat flasher once used to flash bcm chips using a jtag but with added breakout. you can see from the 1st image its connected with usb and jtag.

Even if it never gets released from them, we now have the means of making one ourselves, just a little different than the old lpt1 home made jtag lead.

Here is another update from No_One on the hardware for this project which should allow developers to further examine the PS3 NOR flash in search of new exploits: psx-scene.com/forums/content/pnm-1230/

Anonymous hacker releases explanations of DUAL NOR hardware.

A hardware has been designed. Project codename: PNM (PS3 NOR Manager). It meets the following requirements:

copy/dump/update NOR FLASH

static switch and dynamic switch between 2 NOR FLASH (sockets)

realtime spying the NOR activities

A PDF with all the explanations, schematics and so on will be provided very soon for release ! ...this is one of the page extracted from the PDF that will be released. This is a part of the PNM schematics:

s3nint3!I believe knowledge and information wants to be free. This is why I consider that this project is open-hardware and will be open-source !

Learn what you can and help contribute to making the PS3 scene a better place. Released by No_One.

PS: PNM could lead to 3.6x+ key decryption/CFW, but also to a TRUE dual firmware management
PPS: No other hardware (Infectus...) will be capable to handle what PNM is capable to do...

In related news, some install pics from dospiedras1973 are posted here: elotrolado.net/hilo_cfw-3-55-y-ofw-3-66-a-la-vez-solo-cambiando-un-switch_1645953_s150

Finally, Varicela via DemonHades (demonhades.org/foro/viewtopic.php?t=4853#p30499) shared a pic of another PCB with Dual NAND support allowing users to install both PS3 OFW and CFW on a single console, stating (roughly translated) that there are integrated sockets on the "two side plates" that are to be used by the Infectus modchip–for this dual-NAND to work.

Even if this is possible, it would require a hardware mod and also another mod to allow switching between 2 hard drives. Different firmware versions probably handle data on the drive differently (especially on the newer console versions with small nand size since a good bit of the OS is stored on the HDD instead of the nand).

Basically all this really means is that there may be a possible alternative (hardware mod + 2 HDD mod vs buying a 2nd PS3 for OFW).

So really this won't gain anything. It won't lead to CFW. And if your willing to buy the extra parts and mod the PS3, your much better off just buying a 2nd PS3 for official firmware.

I thought the Fat Ps3 already had 2 Nand (Or some other flash memory) used to store the firmware and a copy of it in case something goes wrong?

I can't remember where did I read that (or even if it is true ^^ ), but that's what I immediately thought when I read that news. I suppose that in that case we could use the "backup" flash memory as a second firmware, enabling Dual Firmware.

Does anybody have an answer on these? Again, I might be completely wrong